Performs a variety of highly skilled oral health clinical procedures and provides oral health education under the supervision of the dentist. This includes professionally clean patients' teeth, assess caries risk, help make diagnosis of periodontal status and perform a thorough head and neck exam. Hygienists will provide oral hygiene instructions specific to the patient's needs, including those specific to their cancer treatment. This individual will support the dental team and provide care to patients that aligns with CARTI's core values.

SPECIFIC JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assists with the preliminary assessment of each new dental service patient.
Removes biofilm, stains, and calculus from supra-gingival surfaces.
Performs scaling and root planning.
Applies fluoride and sealants for caries protection.
Takes, develops, and mounts x-rays. Performs complex or specialized radiography.
Sets up and sterilizes exam rooms and equipment, in accordance with universal safety precautions and other safety standards.
Follows OSHA and Infection Control guidelines specific to:

Personal emergency treatment for blood borne pathogens and hazardous materials.
Bio-hazard waste handling, disposal and storage (including sharps)
Wearing appropriate protective gear during oral procedure

Administers local anesthetic.
Documents treatment plans and care performed on patients.
Assists in demonstrations, showing equipment and/or explaining systems and methods to dental assistant and/or dental hygiene interns; may follow up with further information or tutorials with students.
Assists patients with special needs and complex medical conditions.
Performs assigned duties that fall within your area of practice.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: None

EDUCATION, CERTIFICATION, LICENSURE, REGISTRATION:

Graduate from an accredited dental hygiene school with an associate degree
Current license from the Arkansas State Dental board with local anesthesia permit.
BLS certification

EXPERIENCE, KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS and ABILITIES:

3 years of clinical hygiene experience, preferred.
Able to utilize American Academy of Periodontology classification for diagnosis and treatment of periodontal disease.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability to transport patients via wheelchairs on an occasional basis.
Ability to assist patients to get in and out of the dental chair on a frequent basis

REASONING ABILITY:

Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists.
Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, or schedule form.

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS:

Must interact and communicate both verbally and in written form.
Must interact and exchange information regarding patients with physicians and other departmental personnel, and outside agencies on a frequent basis while respecting the confidentiality of patient information.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear.
The employee regularly is required to stand, walk, sit, use hand to finger, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls; and reach with hands and arms.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:
The work environment described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. This position involves potential exposure to infectious diseases. Team members are offered appropriate vaccinations and safety training.

COMMENTS:
This description is intended to describe the essential job functions, the general supplemental functions and the essential requirements for the performance of the job. It is not an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities and requirements of a person so classified. Other functions may be assigned, and management retains the right to add or change the duties at any time. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

This position is a Safety Sensitive Position. The essential functions, physical demands, and mental competencies of this job require the employee maintain the ability to work in a constant state of alertness in a safe manner.